Kala Utsav Competitions 2025 Schedule, Themes, Art Areas and Eligibility

Kala Utsav Competitions 2025 Schedule: Kala Utsav is an initiative of the MoE to promote arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students at the secondary stage in the country.

Kala Utsav is an initiative of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GoI), launched in 2015, to promote arts in education, by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students in the country.

The Ministry of Education recognises the importance of aesthetics and artistic experience of secondary-level students, which plays a major role in creating awareness about India’s rich cultural heritage and its vibrant diversity.

Kala Utsav

Kala Utsav has regularly been organised every year since 2015, as a celebration of art forms in the school system. The District, State and National level Kala Utsav has been structured as an art festival to include performances and display of exhibits.

The design of Kala Utsav helps the students explore, understand and showcase their artistic talent of practicing different art forms.

This event gives students the opportunity to understand and celebrate cultural diversity at the School, District, State and National level.

It not only spreads awareness among students, but also creates awareness about India’s rich cultural traditions and their practice among different stakeholders.

The traditions also show us the creative expansion from individual to the community, which contributes towards the overall development of the society.

Further, this will also help to promote networking of artists, artisans and institutions with schools. As an effort to mainstream students with special needs (differently abled and from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds) and celebrating their abilities, Kala Utsav is envisaged as a fully integrated platform.

Kala Utsav is not a one-time activity but the beginning of a complete process of identifying, exploring, understanding, practicing, evolving and showcasing the artistic talent.

It helps students in identifying and understanding our tangible and intangible cultural expressions. Once part of the process, the participants do not just perform a piece of art from their living traditions, but live the complete cultural experience.

Kala Utsav Competitions 2025

NCERT has inaugurated an event named ’Kala Utsav’ under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme to promote skill development for students at secondary education level involving students of Classes 9 and 12.

The event will be held in 10 categories for which one girl and one boy are selected at district and state level. The Union Government has been holding the cultural event at three levels- Divisional and District Level Kala Utsav competitions, State Level Kala Utsav competitions and National Level Kala Utsav competitions.

India is a melting pot of many cultures and vibrant traditions! Because of NCERT’s Kala Utsav, students from across the nation came together to celebrate the beauty in India’s diversity via beautiful performances.

Kala Utsav 2025-24

Kala Utsav 2025-24 will be organised in the offline mode. The timeline for the entries, competitions and other specifications will be communicated to the concerned State authorities KVS/ NVS, required.

Kala Utsav Competition categories 2025

The focus of Kala Utsav 2025-24 will be on styles of traditional folk and classical art forms. Art forms included for the competitions this year are:

1. Vocal Music - Classical
2. Vocal Music - Traditional Folk
3. Instrumental Music - Percussive
4. Instrumental Music - Melodic
5. Dance - Classical
6. Dance - Folk
7. Visual Arts (2-dimensional)
8. Visual Arts (3-dimensional)
9. Indigenous Toys and Games
10. Drama (Solo Acting)

Kala Utsav Eligibility

Students of Classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 of any Government, Government-aided and Private school affiliated to any state of central boards, can participate in Kala Utsav 2025-24.

Private schools and schools of other central government organizations/local bodies located in the State/Union Territory will participate at the district and state level competitions, along with the other schools of the State/UT.

States/ UT have to ensure that all of there schools participate all district and state level. The KVS and NVS will hold competitions amongst the KVS and NVS and their winning teams will participate as two separate teams at the National Level.

Thus, total teams participating in each of the 10 categories at the National Level will be 38 [36 States/UTs+ KVS+ NVS]. Winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd position) of the previous years of Kala Utsav are not allowed to participate in Kala Utsav (2025-24).

National level Kala Utsav 2025-24

The National level Kala Utsav (2025-24) will be conducted in offline mode. The venue and schedule of competitions in different categories (once finalized) will be shared with all Kala Utsav nodal officers and shall also be flashed on Kala Utsav website (http://www.kalautsav.in), well in advance.

The State, UTs, KVS and NVS teams are advised to visit the Kala Utsav website for the new announcements and status updates on regular basis. The National team of organisers will continuously be in touch with the Nodal Officers of Kala Utsav from State/UTs/KVS/NVS through an active WhatsApp group which has already been created.

For the national level competitions, in every area of arts, there will be a separate jury consisting of experts drawn from educators, practitioners or scholars of the respective art form. Members of the jury will remain same for all the competition days. The Jury will have direct interaction with the students during these competitions.

Kala Utsav 2025 should be organized to unearth the hidden creativity in 9th and 12th class students of all schools in all districts. As in the past, this year too, MEOs will be hosting the Kala Utsav.

In this regard, the teachers of the respective schools should encourage the students to register online. The competitions include music, dance, visual arts, painting, sculpture, traditional doll making and games.

The Government of India is organizing competitions under the National Education Planning Act for 9th to 12th class boys and girls in various categories under the name of Kala Utsav to unleash the creativity hidden in the students not limited to the topics in the textbooks

This year the competitions are being held offline in 9 categories. One girl and one boy in each category will be selected by 18 people from the district to the state level. MEOs should take steps to ensure that students from each zone participate in each department.

As an effort to mainstream students with special needs (differently-abled and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds) and celebrating their abilities, Kala Utsav is envisaged as a fully integrated platform.

The Govt. Of India to promote Arts in Education nurturing and Showcasing the artistic talent of school students at the Secondary Stage in the country.

Names must be registered for the ‘Art Festival (Kala Utsav)’. As per the NCF guidelines, the Central Government is organizing competitions in various disciplines under the name ‘Kala Utsav 2025’ as it does every year to unearth the hidden creativity in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th class students.

This time the competition is being conducted online in 10 categories. Each category can have 18 participants from each zone, one girl and one boy. Those who show talent in this will be selected at the state level. MEOs should take steps to involve boys and girls in various subjects.

Students must provide full details. Only entries from schools will be considered. Competition categories as follows

It would provide an opportunity and favorable environment to nurture and showcase their talents and help in making learning more concrete, creative and joyful.

Kala Utsav Celebrations 2025

Kala Utsav will be a pioneering celebration of art forms in the school system and shall continue as an ongoing program.

The district/ state/national-level Utsav is structured as an art festival which will include performances and display of exhibits along with their online art projects (e-project).

The design of Kala Utsav will help students explore, understand and showcase living art traditions. Through Kala Utsav, students will get the opportunity to understand and celebrate cultural diversity at school, district, state, and national levels.

The Kala Utsav will not only spread awareness among students but also create awareness of India’s cultural heritage and its vibrant diversity amongst other stakeholders. Further, this will help to promote the networking of artists, artisans, and institutions with schools.

Kala Utsav is a pioneering celebration of art forms in the school system and continues as an ongoing program. This program will enhance the life skills of the participants and prepare them as ambassadors of our culture.

Kala Utsav provides the opportunity to express the hidden talents of the students from disadvantaged groups and students with special needs.  

As per the instructions of the Director of School Education &Ex-Officio RMSA, TS, Hyderabad has conducted the “KALA UTSAV” district level competitions to promote arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of Secondary stage students.

District Level Kala Utsav Competitions 2025

The focus of Kala Utsav will be on any one of the styles of traditional, classical, folk or contemporary art forms. The following art forms will be included for competitions:

• Vocal Music
• Instrumental Music
• Dance
• Painting

State level Kala Utsav competitions 2025

Kala Utsav Competitions Schedule: State-level Kala Utsav competitions will be conducted in Hyderabad. In view of this, they are requested to send all the students who got 1st place in all the 4 competitions to the state level Kala Utsav competitions to be held as per the schedule at Godavari Auditorium, SSA, Telangana, Hyderabad along with concerned school teacher.

Further, they are requested to send the children along with the following information for proper documentation to online the project.

To prepare the online project they are requested to go through exemplary online project videos one on music and another on visual arts on Kala Utsav you-tube channel i.e, i.e, http://youtu.be/pKvheKivavhU. History & Origin of the art form http://youtube/cuwmE 16Bh8Q and another.

1. The communities who participate in it.
2. Its present status.
3. The occasions when the particular art form is practiced
4. Photographs, slide shows, video and audio clips, soundtracks.
5. Script, Write-up.
6. Interview with artists/artisans and with the community.
7. Process of the art project.
8. Reference of related publications. & self-interviews etc.
9. The length of the project should be a minimum 5 minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes.

Theme: All Art Forms in Kala Utsav 2025 should reflect Traditional Art Forms of India.

Areas of Art forms in Kala Utsav 2025.

1. Music
2. Dance
3. Theatre
4. Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Crafts)
5. Online Art projects (History, Documenting the facts, Documenting the process of practicing living traditions, write-up.

Teams of students from classes IX to XII studying in all managements including Junior Colleges.

Teams: A team can be formed selecting students from class IX and XII to perform their selected art form. The visual Art team contains 4-6 students. The music team contains 6-10 students. The dance team contains 8-10 students and the Theatre team should have 8-12 students.

Awards at National Level: Selected district teams will participate at the State level. State-level selected teams will showcase their talent at National Level. Kala Utsav awards will be declared by NCERT. Entry proforma for submitting Kala Utsav and other details will be communicated later.

Kala Utsav Competitions Schedule and Guidelines

1. District Educational Officer constitute a committee consisting of DIET Principal, One faculty from DIET, One Dy.EO., one MEO, one School Complex HM, Representatives from local cultural organizations / Bala Bhavan. DEO is the Chairperson of this committee. 
2. Keep informing all the activities of Kala Utsav-2025 to the District Collector concerned.
3. DEO has to circulate Kala Utsav-2019 agenda and calendar of activities to all schools under all managements and Junior Colleges in their districts.
4. All the students studying class IX to XII in all schools under all managements.
5. Conduct Divisional Level Competitions as per the schedule.
6. Dy.EO. is the responsible person to conduct Divisional Level Competitions.
7. Conduct District Level Competitions:…..
8. A consolidated amount for expenditure regarding the conduct of Divisional and District level will be released from the RMSA.
9. Give vide publicity in print and electronic media about the Kala Utsav-2020 activities.
10. For every area of arts, there will be a separate jury consisting of three experts.
11. The Jury members will be drawn from educators/practitioners/scholars of the respective art forms.
12. Obtain evaluation forms from the Jury members and preserve them.
13. In every Jury (Theatre, Dance, Music and Visual Arts) it is advisable to have one expert having experience of working with Children With Special Needs (CWSN).
14. Members of the Jury will remain the same for all the days of the event.
15. The Jury will view all art project entries in their respective art forms, one day before the actual final competitions. The evaluation of e-projects by the Jury shall be included in the performance marks

All the DEOs are competent authority to conduct Divisional and District level Kala Utsav-2020 competitions. District Level First prize winners in each theme have to participate in State Level competition and after State Level competition first prize winners will be sent to the National Level Competition which will be held at New Delhi. The themes, scheduled of activities and Guidelines are released by the School Education Department

Jury: The Government of India Ministry of Human Resource Development going to conduct an innovative program Kala Utsav-2025 to promote Arts in Education by nurturing and showcasing the aesthetic and artistic talent of school students at the secondary school stage in the country.

Ministry of Human Resource Development instructed to conduct Kala Utsav 2025 competitions in different Art forms i.e., Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Crafts). All the Art forms should reflect traditional Art forms of our State.

Students from class IX to XII studying in all managements including Jr. Colleges are eligible to participate in Kala Utsav-2025 competitions. The participating teams should submit an Online project in the prescribed format.

Theme: The theme for Kal Utsav this year will be intimated as and when the GOI announces. All Art Forms in Kala Utsav-2025 should reflect Traditional Art Forms of India.

Areas of Art for Kala Utsav:

1. Music
2. Dance
3. Theatre
4. Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Craft)

Teams for Kala Utsav:

1. Music 6-10 Students
2. Dance 8-10 students
3. Theatre 8-12 students
4. Visual Arts 4-6 students

Awards at National Level Kala Utsav:

• First Prize Rs.1,25,000/- each
• Second Prize Rs.75,000/- each
• Third Prize Rs.50,000/- each

General Guidelines for KALA UTSAV 2025

Kala Utsav 2025 will be organized in the online mode considering the prevailing situation of COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of Kala Utsav–2025 will be in any of the styles of traditional folk and classical art forms.

The following art forms will be included for competitions:

• Vocal Music – Classical
• Vocal Music- Traditional Folk
• Instrumental Music – Classical
• Instrumental Music – Traditional Folk
• Dance – Classical
• Dance – Folk
• Visual Arts (2 Dimensional)
• Visual Arts (3- Dimensional)
• Indigenous Toys and Games

National Level Kala Utsav (Online)

The National level Kala Utsav 2025 will be conducted live through virtual platform. Information of the virtual platform will be provided to the nodal officer of the concerned State/UT and to the KVS/ NVS authorities for making necessary arrangements prior to the competitions. Schedule of the competitions in different categories will be shared with the nodal officers and shall also be flashed on Kala Utsav website, well in advance.

In every area of arts, there will be a separate jury consisting of experts drawn from educators or practitioners or scholars of the respective art form. Members of the jury will remain same for all the competition days. The Jury will have interactions with the students during these competitions through virtual platform.

Kala Utsav Entries

The districts can send one Male and one Female entry in each of the 9 categories. Entries for Online Kala Utsav, will have only those student performers who are studying in Classes IX to XII and have prepared under the supervision of the school authorities.

Involvement of professional artists or performers is not allowed as entry. One student can participate only in one category. Thus, every district can submit total of 18 entries, that is; 9 Male and 9 Female
participations.

Proforma for submitting entries

Every entry is to be supported with the duly filled and signed proforma (given in Annexure – I and II) by the Nodal Officer of District to ensure participation at National Level.

Video film for Kala Utsav

• Video film of the State level performance in each category is to be submitted for the National level. In the Visual Art category (2D, 3D) and Indigenous Toys and Games), pictures of the artwork should also be provided along with the video film.
• The Kala Utsav backdrop with the name of programme, date and venue should be displayed at all competition venues ensuring its visibility in the video.
• The maximum duration of the video film is 5 minutes.
• The video as part of the national level entry is to be uploaded along with the program and Textual summary.
• In respect of Indigenous Toys and Games, apart from the Video, one clear photo should also be submitted.

Textual Summary (Write up) for Kala Utsav

• The textual summary of not more than 100 words computer typed in word document format in Hindi or in English is to be submitted / uploaded with the entry.
• Image or photo of the textual summary is not acceptable.
• The summary is to be prepared by the participant himself / herself giving details about the selected art form, the place of it’s origin, communities involved, special occasions when the art form is practiced, costumes, accompanying instruments, props, relation of the art form with the environment, style, techniques, materials, etc.
• The textual summary can be supported with photographs (maximum 5) of participant in making of their art piece or of his / her performance, etc.,

Eligibility for Kala Utsav

Teams of students from classes 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th of any Govt and Aided schools/collages. Visual Arts Visual Arts State shall select the best teams for participating at the National Level  and GoI had suggested  as follows :

• A. District: This is the first level of Kala Utsav, where all schools can send their entries. (If appropriate and convenient, the State may opt to have Kala Utsav at block or tehsil level).
• B. State:  Selected teams from the District level will participating at this level.
• C. National: This is the final and culminating level of Kala Utsav where best of the State/ UT entries will showcase their talent
• e- Proforma for submitting entries: State-level coordinators of Kala Utsav (Through e-mail).
• Last date of Project form: Keeping the Kala Utsav dates in view, the teams which are going to participate at State Level for National Level Kala Utsav

Kala Utsav at the National Level:

• National Level Kala Utsav shall be organized in December at National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi.
• The national level Awards function.
• The celebration of arts (with award-winning entries at the National Level in Central Park (Connaught Place) shall be organized on.

The special role of the State  Secretary (Education):

All the four entries the State / UT shall be seen and approved by the State / UT secretary before they are submitted for the National Level.

• Provide information regarding number of participants and teachers who will attend national level Kala Utsav from our State.
• NCERT shall arrange accommodation.
• Booking of tickets should be done well in advanced T.A of students and teachers/ shall be reimbursed by NCERT

State Level and National Level Kala Utsav

The schedule for conduct of State Level Kala Utsav 2025 and National level Kala Utsav 2025 through online will be informed separately. In view of the above all the District Educational Officers in the State are requested to take action as stated below

• To issue necessary instructions to all the Mandal Educational Officers in their respective districts for conduct of the Kala Utsav 2025 competitions through online at Mandal Level.
• To give wide publicity among all the schools about the competitions.
• To ensure proper conduct of Mandal Level and District level Kala Utsav 2025 competitions through online and submit the entries to this office in respect of the participants who stood first in the district level Kala Utsav 2025 competitions only in all the nine events (1) Female Student and (1) Male Student from each category, i.e., total 18 participants from each district.
• The DEOs are informed that the schedule for State Level / National Level Kala Utsav-2025 competitions through online will be informed separately. They are requested to take all kinds of precautionary measures for conducting the Kala Utsav 2025 competitions in virtual mode successfully and safely considering the prevailing situations of Covid-19 pandemic.

Awards (National Level)

All the winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) will be awarded with cash prize, a trophy and medals. All participants will be given a certificate of National Level participation.

Kala Utsav Plan of Action

Mandal Level: The Students existing in the mandal level schools shall participate in the competitions through online. (1) Female student and (1) Male student from each category will be selected from each mandal for District level competitions.

District Level: This is the 2nd level of Kala Utsav, where all winners of mandal level will participate for District level competitions through online. (1) Female student and (1) Male student from each category will be selected for State level competitions. The Quality Coordinator shall act as Nodal Officer of the programme.

State Level: Selected students from District level will participate at this level. 1) Female student and (1) Male student from each category through online will be selected for National Level competitions.

National: This is the final and culminating level of Kala Utsav where best of the State entries will showcase their talent. i.e., 1) Female student and (1) Male student from each category through online.

Jury Members

At Mandal level and District level a committee may be constituted with the
experts drawn from educators or practitioners or scholars of the respective art form.
Members of the jury will remain same for all the competition days. The Jury will have
interactions with the students during these competitions through virtual platform.

FAQs on Kala Utsav